MERIDEN — A suspect is in custody following a shooting Monday that left one man dead and a female injured in the area of West Main Street and Lewis Avenue.
Warren Watson, 33, of Meriden was located by police a short time after the shooting in a parked vehicle at 235 Grove St., according to a statement from police Tuesday morning. Watson was also suffering from a gunshot wound and was taken to an area hospital for treatment as police continued to investigate.
At approximately 6 p.m. Monday evening, officers were dispatched to West Main Street and Lewis Avenue after receiving a report of shots fired. Once on the scene, police said they discovered one man and one woman inside of a parked car. Both individuals were injured with what appeared to be gunshot wounds and a handgun was discovered inside of the vehicle, according to police.
Police described Watson as a person of interest in the shooting.
After officers discovered Watson in a car on Grove Street, Meriden police detectives received several search warrants for vehicles as well as for the 2nd floor apartment at 235 Grove St., where they found a handgun.
Watson was arrested after being treated at the hospital on five counts of probation violation and operating a motor vehicle under suspension. He is being held on $500,000 bond for the probation violations and an additional $25,000 bond for the motor vehicle charge.
Police said Watson had a lengthy criminal history, including sale of hallucinogens, dating back as far as 2017.
The man who died of a gunshot wound in a vehicle in the area of Lewis Avenue and West Main Street has since been identified as Shawn Mojica, 31. Police have not released the name or age of the female victim, but said the wounds she sustained were non-life threatening. Officers said they believe Watson, Mojica and the injured woman were known to each other prior to Monday’s incident.
Meriden police said officers received “assistance with traffic control and crime scene security,” from units dispatched by the Wallingford, Cheshire and Southington police departments, as well as the Connecticut State Police.
Watson has yet to be formally charged in connection to the shooting. Police say the investigation is continuing and additional criminal charges may be filed.